Conservation areas

In recognition of our responsibilities for preserving and enhancing the special architectural and historic character of the district, we have designated a number of towns and villages as conservation areas and the district has 47 conservation areas in total.

Within a conservation area special planning controls exist to help us and owners preserve and enhance the distinctive character of the area. You can find out more in our leaflet Living in a conservation area (PDF File, 247kb)

When is planning permission in conservation areas required?

Certain minor alterations and small extensions to dwellings can be undertaken without planning permission but planning rules are more strict in conservation areas than elsewhere.

If you are a householder and considering works in a conservation area please visit our information on Pre-application advice to establish whether planning permission is required.  

For non-householders please submit all requests for information in writing or via e-mail, with as much supporting information as possible, including photographs and plans.

Assessing planning applications in conservation areas

When considering a planning application for development in a conservation area, we have a responsibility to pay special attention to preserving or enhancing the character and appearance of the area. Where new development is permitted particular attention will be paid to its siting, scale, materials and detailing. Applications must be designed with great sympathy for the area, relating well to the surrounding buildings, spaces and trees and must use traditional materials.

Separate special controls apply in the case of listed buildings.  

Design guides

We have produced several design guides which might be of help to anyone considering alterations to a listed or historic building.

Demolition in conservation areas

Special permission known as conservation area consent is required for most demolitions within conservation areas. We will usually encourage the retention of buildings making a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

To find out if conservation area consent is required or to discuss a proposed demolition please submit a request for information in writing or via e-mail.

Works to trees in conservation areas

Trees often make a major contribution to the character of conservation areas and safeguarding them is one of the most important aspects of conservation area control. We must must be given six weeks written notice for work involving pruning or felling trees. 

Please visit our trees pages for further information.

Conservation area appraisals

We are undertaking a programme of reviewing the special character and appearance of conservation areas within the district. The  conservation area appraisals draw attention to the special qualities that make a place a conservation area and look at the existing boundary and consider any amendments.  They are also used as a framework against which decisions about future development can be made.

Archaeology

The district contains a wealth of archaeological sites illustrating its strategic importance during Roman and Medieval periods through to the Civil War and beyond.

Newark in particular is one of the most archaeologically sensitive towns in the East Midlands.

The District has several Scheduled Ancient Monuments and one Registered Battle field at East Stoke. 

Useful websites                            

Historic landscapes

The historic landscape is essentially the modern environment we see around us today. The decisions and actions of our ancestors have shaped and changed the landscape so much that we owe the character of our modern landscape as much to them as we do to ourselves.

Landscape forms an integral part of the historic environment, along with archaeological and historic sites, monuments and historic buildings. Landscape can be a key part of the special interest of conservation areas

Characterisation of our landscape provides a very useful tool in guiding future decisions concerning the management of the countryside and heritage of our district.

The historic landscape of Nottinghamshire as a whole has been the subject of a Landscape Characterisation Project by Nottinghamshire County Council and the Nottinghamshire Historic Landscape Character Map can be downloaded from their website.

Heritage and buildings at risk

Periodically the condition of the district’s listed buildings and structural scheduled ancient monuments will be surveyed and collated in the Heritage at Risk Register.

The register is compiled by English Heritage and provides a national list of the condition of England’s designated heritage assets, in order to establish their condition and identify the threats which render them at risk. It brings together information on Grade I and II* listed buildings and structural scheduled monuments.

Nottinghamshire County Council maintains information regarding buildings at risk in Nottinghamshire. They list all listed buildings, including Grade II listed buildings in a searchable database is available from their website. 

A national publication on buildings at risk is also published by Save Britain's Heritage.

From time to time people contact us to enquire about a specific building on the Buildings at Risk Register. Please note that we are unable to give out owner’s details but will pass on correspondence where possible.

Please e-mail our conservation team to discuss any issues relating to buildings at risk.
 

Biodiversity and nature conservation

The district has its own very unique biodiversity.  From the ancient oaks of Sherwood Forest to the spectacle of flocks of thousands of golden plover wintering on the wet grasslands of the Trent Valley, Newark and Sherwood's natural inheritance is one of its more precious and valued assets.

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